In remarkable interview with Ellen DeGeneres, comic says he is rethinking decision to step down after homophobic tweets came to light.

"Has Kevin Hart made any meaningful effort to reach out to the LGTBQ community and listen to their perspective on why his past comments are so The host of the Oscars had made anti-gay jokes, and LGBT people who love the Oscars were legitimately startled to see just how harsh his words were.

Key parties involved in the annual Oscars telecast are open to the return of Kevin Hart as host, one insider close to the event told Variety, following an alternately contrite and defiant appearance on “The Ellen Show” on Thursday.

Leadership at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC, the network that broadcasts the telecast, are open to Hart resuming his role as emcee if he signals that he wants the job. That message could come through a spokesperson or on social media, where Hart maintains an active presence on Instagram and Twitter, the individual added.

Michael Che Defends Kevin Hart on 'SNL': Watch

“Didn’t the Academy nominate Mel Gibson for an award just last year?” he asked, referencing controversial racist statements the director made a few years ago. “Also, if Kevin Hart isn’t clean enough to host the Oscars then no black comic is. The only black comic I know that’s cleaner than Kevin Hart is booked for the next 3-10 years,” Che said as a picture of Bill Cosby was shown.

Kevin Darnell Hart (born July 6, 1979) is an American comedian , actor and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy

Mr. Hart was in trouble because several of his tweets and comments — most of them several years old — used the word “gay” as an insult or were otherwise Fans of Mr. Hart had lauded the decision to have the celebrity comedian host the Oscars next year. The annual ceremony has been struggling

The about face is extraordinary because Hart’s appointment as host stirred up so much controversy. Past homophobic jokes that Hart had made resurfaced on Twitter and other social media platforms within hours of the announcement that he would emcee the broadcast. The comic was initially dismissive, saying he had previously addressed those remarks. He later offered a more full-throated apology after announcing he was declining the Academy’s offer. In the ensuing weeks, Oscar producers have struggled to find a replacement.

The Academy hoped Hart would have a meaningful conversation about his past tweets in the aftermath of his December exit, another insider close to the show’s well-documented troubles said. It’s unclear if Hart’s apologies on “Ellen” were sufficient, and if he demonstrated an understanding of the effect of his old tweets. While Hart still sits atop a wish list of marquee hosts within the Academy, show producer Donna Gigliotti and her team have been working “non-stop” on living without him, the insider said. This includes options like a cameo-heavy, hostless show, which Variety exclusively reported last month.

Why the Oscars may have a tough time replacing Kevin Hart

The job comes with little pay, a ton of pressure and even more scrutiny.

Comedian Kevin Hart stepped down as the host of next year's Academy Awards ceremony after his past homophobic tweets surfaced on Thursday. By Thursday morning, Hart 's Oscar -hosting gig was clearly in jeopardy, though it wasn't necessarily gone for good: A sincere apology—coupled with

Oscars host Kevin Hart says the Academy has asked him to apologize for years-old homophobic tweets or the organization will cut ties. Some of the tweets were feverishly deleted throughout the day on Thursday, leading to an Instagram video from the comedian that only made matters worse for him.

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(via ETOnline.com)

Momentum built for Hart’s return on Thursday after both the network and the wider Academy leadership were made aware of a conversation between the comedian and DeGeneres in which she urged the comic to reconsider his decision to step down and stressed that his past homophobic comments were not representative of a man she called a friend. For his part, Hart said that the criticism was being driven by trolls who wanted to destroy his career.

“This was to destroy me,” he said. “This was to end all partnerships, all brand relationships, all investment opportunities, studio relationships, my production company and the people that work underneath me. This was to damage the lives that have been invested in me.”

Kevin Hart's Oscar Exit Divides Americans (Exclusive Poll)

Some 36 percent said the Academy was "right" to ask the comic to apologize for past homophobic tweets or step down, while 34 percent said that was "wrong," a Hollywood Reporter/Morning Consult poll finds.

Kevin Hart is stepping down as Oscars host just two days after the Academy announced he would take on The tweets drew condemnation from the likes of actor- comedian Billy Eichner, who tweeted He said they did not immediately respond. GLAAD responded to Hart 's decision to step down in a

The comedian said the choice to step down was his in a series of two tweets that went out late Thursday evening. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past," Hart wrote. Hart originally announced that he would be hosting the Oscars on Wednesday.

Hart once again apologized for any hurt that he had caused with his remarks, adding “I don’t have a homophobic bone in my body.”

An ABC insider, however, emphasized to Variety that the Academy is responsible for negotiating with and securing an Oscars host — a process for which the network serves as an advisor. The same source said that ABC had no knowledge of whether direct conversations had yet taken place between the Academy and Hart.

Spokespeople for the Academy and ABC had no comment. A representative for Hart did not return Variety‘s request for comment.

As far as Hart is concerned, the comedian said he’s “evaluating” DeGeneres’ lengthy plea for him to take the stage on Hollywood’s big night.

“What we’re going to get to see on stage with you hosting the Oscars is sophistication, class, hilarity and you growing as a person,” DeGeneres told Hart. “Because most people would say, ‘I’m walking away … ’ For you to be the bigger man, for you to say I understand …and to not pay attention. There are so many haters out there.”

DeGeneres also detailed her conversation with an unnamed person or persons from the Academy — an organization the daytime queen said was emphatic to see him come back.

“We want him to host, we feel like maybe he misunderstood or it was handled wrong, or maybe we said the wrong thing,” DeGeneres said, quoting the Academy. “But we want him to host. Whatever we can do, we want him to host.”

One of the individuals with knowledge of the Academy disputed the apologetic tone that DeGeneres conveyed, saying the comments were taken out of context.

Oscar producers need to a make a decision on a host, or announce a major reinvention, with less than two months to the finish line. After all, one of the host’s primary duties is to hype the show. This week, telecast producer Gigliotti cut promos for the Feb. 24 telecast without an emcee encouraging viewers to tune in.

Kevin Hart Shares What's Next for Him Following Oscars Controversy (Exclusive).
The actor opened up to ET about how he plans to stay busy in the coming months.

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